NFL Player News

Coach John Harbaugh said Monday there's a "chance" that Dobbins (knee) begins training camp on the PUP list, Jonas Shaffer of The Baltimore Sun reports.

Harbaugh said both Dobbins and Gus Edwards (knee), who both missed the 2021 campaign due to torn ACLs, could need to start training camp on the PUP list. "We'll probably play it safe a little bit with those guys and take our time and just bring them along for the season," Harbaugh said. Dobbins still appears on track to return to full health in time for the start of the 2022 campaign, and there's not yet any indication that his recovery has run into any sort of setback. The fact that the Ravens have avoided any notable running back additions during free agency would appear to speak to the team's confidence in both Dobbins' and Edwards' recoveries.

Jaguars head coach Doug Pederson said Monday that he expects Etienne (foot) to take part in workouts early in the team's offseason program, Cameron Wolfe of NFL Network reports.

Etienne had his entire rookie season wiped out after the 2021 first-round pick suffered a Lisfranc injury in the preseason that later required surgery. Heading into last season, Etienne was expected to work in tandem out of the backfield with James Robinson and handle a key role in the passing game, but the Clemson product may head into the offseason as the Jaguars' clear No. 1 back while Robinson works his way back from the torn Achilles' tendon he suffered in late December. Pederson already has ruled Robinson out through OTAs and minicamp, potentially giving Etienne a chance to log most of the first-team work if he's ready to go early in the offseason program, as the coach predicts. Beyond Etienne and Robinson, the Jaguars have little in the way of proven depth in the backfield, as the other three running backs on the roster (Ryquell Armstead, Mekhi Sargent and Nathan Cottrell) have combined for 56 career carries.

Jaguars head coach Doug Pederson said Monday that Robinson (Achilles) won't participate in OTAs, Cameron Wolfe of NFL Network reports.

Meanwhile, Pederson noted that Travis Etienne (foot), the other Jacksonville running back recovering from a long-term injury, is on track to rejoin the team for workouts early during the offseason program. Robinson's recovery from the torn left Achilles' tendon he suffered in late December looks as though it'll extend into training camp in late July, and it's far from a given that he'll be a full participant in practices by then. The track record of players returning from Achilles surgery isn't overly encouraging, and the fact that Robinson suffered his injury late last season and faces strong competition from Etienne -- a 2021 first-round pick -- renders Robinson a risky fantasy investment heading into 2022.

Jones (ankle) will sign a one-year contract with the Chiefs, Aaron Wilson of ProFootballNetwork.com reports.

After a career-best 978 rushing yards in 2020, Jones fell behind Leonard Fournette in the rotation last season, finishing the campaign with only 101 carries for 428 yards and four touchdowns. He's landed in a pretty favorable spot, joining a running back room that's proven to be underwhelming so far. Jones should have an opportunity to compete for reps alongside Clyde Edwards-Helaire, especially with Darrel Williams on the free-agent market.

Ahmed, who was an exclusive rights free agent, has signed his contract tender with the Dolphins, Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald reports.

The 23-year-old logged 54 carries for 149 yards and added 12 catches on 19 targets for 117 yards in 12 games with the Dolphins in 2021. This coming season, Ahmed, along with Myles Gaskin and Gerrid Doaks, slots into a depth role in Miami's backfield, behind Chase Edmonds and Raheem Mostert. It's a context that limits Ahmed's fantasy upside so long as the team's top duo remains healthy and available.

Wilson agreed Wednesday with the 49ers on a new contract, David Lombardi of The Athletic reports.

The 26-year-old running back first latched on with the 49ers as an undrafted rookie in 2018, and he'll now stick in San Francisco for a fifth straight season. During his run with the team, Wilson has made nine starts -- including four in 2021 -- despite opening the season third or fourth on the team's depth chart most years. Heading into the 2022 season, Wilson will likely be behind Elijah Mitchell, at the very least, and he could also face additional competition for backup work if the Niners bring in another veteran and/or a draft pick. For now, the team has Mitchell, Wilson, Trey Sermon and JaMycal Hasty, with each of the four seemingly healthy after dealing with various injuries throughout 2021.

Blasingame signed a one-year contract with the Bears on Tuesday, Larry Mayer of the Bears' official site reports.

Blasingame was not tendered a contract by the Titans and will now join the Bears as a free agent. The 25-year-old appeared in 11 games last season, compiling six yards on three carries and two receptions for four yards on two targets. However, Blasingame's value comes as a blocker, and he helped lead the way for Derrick Henry for parts of the last three seasons, including when Henry led the league in rushing in 2019 and 2020. He'll now work to help David Montgomery gain extra yards in 2022.

McCaffrey (ankle) restructured his contract with the Panthers on Tuesday, opening up about $5.5 million in salary cap space for 2022, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports.

The Panthers wanted to free up some cap space to maintain their flexibility for the offseason, and McCaffrey's contract was a natural candidate for a restructure. The 25-year-old is coming off his second consecutive injury-riddled season, as he was limited to seven games in 2021 by hamstring and ankle injuries and totaled 99 carries for 442 yards plus 37 receptions for 343 yards, with only two total touchdowns.

Mostert (knee) said Monday that he's "way ahead of schedule" in the rehab process after October surgery, David Furones of the South Florida Sun Sentinel reports.

The surgery addressed chipped cartilage in his left knee, and Mostert now has played only nine games over the past two seasons. The Dolphins do expect him to be healthy before Week 1, with Mostert joining the team on a one-year contract shortly after fellow running back Chase Edmonds got a two-year deal. Mostert has the benefit of familiarity with new Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel, formerly the 49ers' offensive coordinator, but Edmonds still is the better bet to lead Miami's backfield in touches. The team also has 2021 holdovers Myles Gaskin, Salvon Ahmed and Patrick Laird on the offseason roster.

Breida agreed to a contract with the Giants on Monday, Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com reports.

Breida will provide the Giants with some much-needed backfield depth behind Saquon Barkley following the team's release of Devontae Booker. In nine games with the Bills last season, the 27-year-old speedster carried 26 times for 125 yards and a TD and caught seven of his nine targets for 72 yards and a pair of receiving scores. For now, Breida's competitors for complementary work behind Barkley are Gary Brightwell and Antonio Williams.